Djukanović wants to develop the predominantly Orthodox Balkan nation, a part of which has strong pro-Russia sympathies, by joining the EU.

His Social Democratic Party (DPS) announced the result after the first round of voting and the leading challenger accepted defeat.

“Djukanović is the new president of Montenegro… there will be no second round,” DPS leader Milos Nikolić told journalists at party headquarters.

The independent NGO Centre for Monitoring (CEMI) said the six-time former prime minister had garnered almost 54% of the vote with two thirds of ballots counted.

Earlier test polling by CEMI, which is tasked with releasing the first results, gave his main rival, Mladen Bojanić, 34.1%.

Bojanić quickly conceded saying, “Montenegro has chosen what it has chosen.”

Having dominated politics in the former Yugoslav republic for nearly 25 years, Djukanović stepped down as prime minister in October 2016. He announced his comeback last month.

The 56-year-old is expected to transform the presidency, previously a ceremonial five-year post held by his ally Filip Vujanovic, into the real seat of power in the country of 620,000 people.

Djukanović was the most high-profile of the seven candidates, with posters plastered all over the capital Podgorica — where a third of Montenegro’s population lives — proclaiming him as “leader, statesman and president of all citizens”.

Results of the Presidential elections in #Montenegro – Milo Djukanovic from the ruling DPS party secures the victory in the first round. Montenegro is one of the rare European countries where the same party & leader continue to rule for the last 25 years. #EU#Balkanspic.twitter.com/8lQpGcMlnE

The issue of organised crime cast a shadow on the campaign, with some 20 people killed by assassination or car bombs over the last two years.

The opposition accuses Djukanović of being linked to the mafia, which he denies.

“As president, I will do everything in my power… to give the police the authority that would allow them to protect citizens from those who put their lives in danger,” Djukanović said during the campaign.

Bojanić, who had the support of most opposition parties, including pro-Russian factions, said he voted to “put an end to the reign of an autocrat who wants to turn Montenegro into a dictatorship”.

He had accused Djukanović of being “the creator of the instability and chaos that we witness in the streets of Montenegro”.

“I agree with Djukanović that the state is stronger than the mafia. But the problem is that I do not know which side he is on,” he added.

Djukanović had claimed the opposition wanted to turn the country into a “Russian province” and threaten Montenegro’s multicultural way of life.

The former prime minister, who has also served one term as president, was able to count on the support of the Croatian, Albanian and Bosnian minorities, which make up 15% of the electorate.

‘Normal relations with Russia’

With Montenegro’s average salary at around €500 and unemployment at over 20%, the debate over the West versus Russia is not the main concern of many Montenegrins.

For Djukanović, however, the choice between Brussels and Moscow is crucial to Montenegro’s development.

But he toned down the anti-Russian rhetoric, saying he wanted “normal relations with Russia if it is prepared to do the same”.

Along with Serbia, Montenegro is the favourite to join the EU next, possibly as early as 2025.

The EU in its 2016 country progress report told Montenegro it should continue its efforts to reduce organised crime, in particular on human trafficking and money laundering, and also noted the problem of international cigarette smuggling through the port of Bar.

All candidate countries are strongly encouraged to align their foreign policy with the EU, including regarding Russia.

Sunday’s vote passed off peacefully amid fears of disorder after 20 people were arrested and accused of trying to stage a coup during legislative elections in 2016.

Biljana Popović from the Centre for Democratic Transition, one of the NGOs monitoring the vote, said there were “a few irregularities that so far are not likely to affect the election”.

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